Guys on the list that I see that would be better than Simmons... Tatum. That's it. Nobody on that list besides Tatum has the scoring power to overcome how much better Simmons is at every other aspect of the game than they are.
I would venture to say that Dames marketability is higher than Simmons, even with the age difference, and the players I listed were a small sampling. Why would Philly even entertain trading him if he wasn't asking for a trade?
Doc and Embiid don't want him there anymore. Doc can try to walk that back as many times as he wants but obviously with the news that they put him on the block this week, that's the case. Of course Dame is worth more than Ben Simmons right now. They'd have to tack on Thybulle or Shake (I'd rather have Shake) and draft picks to make that deal work but they could make it work. Two 24 year olds that can start right away, one of which is an all-nba/potential franchise player and multiple first round picks would be a helluva way to start a rebuild.
I wouldn't want to trade Dame at this point if he's not demanding a trade. I do believe we can move CJ & some for a plug and play all a really solid wing. But Im not a gm and wouldn't know just how much in demand a player like CJ would be to teams looking to beef up scoring? We could be surprised either way?
Oh, I want to keep Dame, trade CJ for a forward that fits our needs better and re-sign Norm. I think the Knicks have an interest in CJ and there might be some teams that have a forward that would fit our needs that would take cap relief and the picks and prospects the Knicks would send for CJ. All of that kind of seems impossible right now because I really think those moves need to be made on or right before draft day and I really think Neil has gotten himself fired. I'll be glad to be rid of Neil but don't know how the logistics can work for us to have a productive draft (as far as moving CJ and getting someone in return).
I would think the Vulcan's would have fired Neil before they hired a new coach, as a new GM would want say in who the next coach could be? I think they look at Neil & Chauncey as working together, to help Dame be happy, and surround him with complimentary players. If there is a big change, maybe it will happen before the draft?
Of course they would have but Neil is going to get fired for how he hired the coach... so that puts a little kink in what an ownership group would want. I think the plan was to have Neil hire a new coach and either make Dame happy or move him but all of this reporting right now is fucking those plans up.
I guess time will tell. I dont like how the situation was handled at all, but how do we know that Neil wasn't being told and advised/legal/Vuclans on what to say and not say. I think we underestimate the influence that Bert and the mother ship have in all decisions being made. The Blazers are not de-centralized by any means. Paul & Bert both convinced Neil he was their guy.
Morey-on can laugh all he wants. He ain't getting Dame for Simmons. But he can go ahead and keep Simmons, but be sure to build some fire pits around the outdoor bars around the arena.
I don't think he would laugh at the ANT /Curry part. Not if he accepts the CJ/ Simmons part. He would be getting a much younger version of both CJ or Curry. Seth Curry has never averaged 13 points per game in his career. He was 25 before he averaged 6.8 pts per game. ANT averaged over 8 at 20. And Philly has Thybulle for defense. If I were Philly and I traded for CJ, I would not care about keeping Curry. All the bitching about Stotts and his lack of developing young players.....doesn't that suggest that Ant might have a high potentuial. Or at least as high as Pat C........
I don't think it needs all of the moving pieces. If Olshey called Morey and offered CJ and two future firsts, Morey would probably ask for one more first and Olshey would be wise to give it. I really think it's that simple. A player in CJ that makes the Sixers better than last season and a bunch of unprotected first rounders is not something I see Morey just turning down.
I know that Giannis and Simmons are very different but after watching Giannis, I want a guy with size, freakish athleticism, defense and special skills. We can workout the kinks with Simmons shot or completely rebuild it but his ability to shut down opposing offenses in every position on the court, dribble the ball, pass the ball, get to the hole and finish... I want this guy. CJ, as many picks as necessary and I don't think it would be necessary but Nas or Ant with all of that if that's what it would take. Give Dame an all nba player with the potential to be a huge superstar.
